Antifriction-bearing.



Paitented Aug. 31, 1915.

W. AHRENS. ANTIFRICTION BEARING. APPLICATION FILED AUG-27, 1909.

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ANTIFRICTLTQN-BE Application filed August a, 1989. Serial no. 514,898.

To all whom it may concern:

subject of the Emperor offGermanyfresiding at Tegel, Germany, have invented 5 certain new and useful Improvements in tit;

Antifriction Bearings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention "relates to anti-friction bearings designed more particularly for use inconnection with centrifugal machines, where, by reason of the high speeds at which the parts are driven, a limited lateral motion of the rotary spindle is provided for to en-- able the same to'be self-centering.

The invention consists of an improved construction for this purpose embodying a hearing to receive the radial loads to which the parts are subjected, and a second bearing to receive. the thrust loads, said bearings co-- operatingin their action in such manner that the spindle orshaft is permitted to rock or t1p to a limitedcxtent.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown my improved construction of a form and arrangement applicable to that type of centrifugal machinesin wlich the rotary member, such as thebasket or bowl, is sus pended, but it is to be understood that my invention in its broader aspectsis not limit-- ed to this particular type ofniachine but may beeinployed to advantage for other purposes and in other connections.

The figure of the drawing is'a vertical sectionalelevation of a bearing embodying my-invention.' i

In the drawing g represents a fixed suspending support in the form of a bolt or stud, and (t represents a rotary shaft or spindle suspended from said "support by means of a thrust bearing, and radially centered on said support by means of a radial hearing, which two bearings cooperate in suchmannor that, while the shaft is capable of free rotarymotion, it is permitted to rock or shift laterally to a limited extent.

The spindle a is adapted at its lower end to carry as usual a basket or bowl or other part, which is to receive the rotary motion, but which is not shown in the drawings, and at its upper end is connected fixedly with a frame or casing Z which, in the present embodiment of my invention, surrounds the suspending stud g, and incloses the two bearings by which the shaft is suspended and radially centered. In the r detailed construc tion these bearings may be of any suitable and appropriate form which willact cooperatively for the results to be attained, but I prefer to construct the thrust bearing in the form of a ring f, provided with a curved under surface, seated, so as to tip or rock, in a corresponding socket in a washer 7'" tired to the lower end of the suspending stud. T he ring f is formed in its upper side with a ball groove or track, in which are seated a number of antifriction balls, which give sup port to a grooved ring (if mounted fixedly in the casing. its a result of this construction the casing Z) and the spindle a connected therewith, are rotatabiy suspended from the supporting stud g in such manner that the parts-may rock or tip laterally with relation to the stud, the diameter of the opening in the ring f being somewhat greater -than the diameter of the stud, in order to allow of the lateral play of the ring in its supporting socket.

The bearing for receiving the radial loads is preferably in the form of an inner ring 6 fixed to the suspending stud, and an outer ring a fixed to the casing 7),va series of friction balls being interposed between the rings The inner ring is grooved locally, as usual, to form a circumferential race or track for the balls, but the outer ring is formed with a plain ball surface curved in a longitudinal direction throughout the extent of the ring, and struck from a center coincident with the center of the curve of the surface of the ring f, the result being that the outer ring will shift on the balls as thespindle is rocked and around an axis coincident with the shifting motion of the ring i he curved form of the ball surface of the outer rinn' 0 enables this bearing to take the radial loads, notwithstanding any angular deflection which the spindle may assun'ie, and it permits the hearing to cooperate with the thrust bearing in allowing lateral tip or play of the spindle around a center common to both the curves of the rings 0 and It is seen. therefore, that while the thrust bearing takes the entire weight or end thrust of the spindle, and while the radial bearing centers the spindle in. a radial direction with reference to the suspending stud, the two bearings cooper ate while performing these functions in permitting the spindle to shift or rock on a com mon axis.

The stud with the ring 7 thereon constitutes in effect a support having a curved supporting'surface or socket, while the casing b' with the vertical ring 0 and horizontal ring f constitutes in efiect a rotary member with a horizontally-disposed curved surface cotiperating with the curved supporting sur face on the support in taking end thrust loads, and having a vertically-disposed curved surface which cooperates with the support in taking radial loads.

I have illustrated in the drawings and have described in the specification the form of the invention as regards its details which I prefer to adopt, but I desire to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or arrangement of the parts,

except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows 1. In combination with a vertical fixed central suspending stud provided with an annular concave supporting surface, a vertical rotary casing surrounding said suspending stud and having a depending portion adapted to sustain a centrifugal bowl and the like, said casing being supported on the concaved surface of the stud and being rockable thereon laterally relatively to the stud about an axis, and said casing being providedon its interior above the concave supporting surface, with an vupright annular bearing surface extending in a curve whose axial center is coincident with the axis on which the casing rocks, said suspending stud cooperating with said upright annular surfacein giving radial support to the casing; whereby the free rotation of the casing relatively to the fixed suspending stud will be permitted, andthe casing may rock laterally .withrespect to said stud.

2. In combination with a vertical fixed central suspgnding stud provided with an annular concave supporting surface, a vertical rotary casing surrounding said suspending stud, a ring surrounding the stud within the casing and provided with a convex surface seated on said concave supporting surface, antifriction rolling elements between said ring and the casing through the medium of which the casing is given end support b the ring, and is permitted to rock lateral y relatively to the stud about an axis, the said casing being provided above said ring with an upright annular surface extending in a curve whose axial center is coincident with the axis on which the casing rocks, and a series of; antifriction rolling elements between the suspending stud and said upright surface on the casing; whereby radial support is given the casing from the stud, while permitting the casing to rotate freely.

3. In combination with a vertical fixed central suspending stud provided with an annular concave supportingsurface, a vertical rotary casing surrounding said stud and. provided with an inwardly extending annular shoulder above the concave supporting surface and having on its under side a ball groove, a ring'having a convex surface seated on the concave surface and rockable thereon about an axis, said ring being provided in its upper side with a ball groove opposed to that in' the shoulder, a series of antifriction balls mounted in said opposing ball grooves and serving to give and engaged by the-upright curved surface;

on the casing; whereby the two series/of antifriction balls give end support and radial support respectively to the casing, while permitting the same to rotate about a vertical axis and also to rock freely relatively to the stud.

In testimony whereof I haveufiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- WERNER AHRENS.

Witnesses WOLDEMAR HAUPT, HENRY HAsrnn. 

